Syracuse Common Councilor Pat Hogan, a Democrat, is also giving serious thought to a Democratic primary. Hogan, a personal friend of McMahon’s, has been cross-endorsed by Republicans in the past. Hogan and party leaders said they have not discussed a potential 2013 run on the Republican line.

Hogan was surprised by the news and said he was not yet sure how this would affect his own decision.

Hogan has nothing but praise for McMahon, who served with him on the council.

McMahon, the only Republican on the Council at the time, was selected by the other councilors to be chairman of the finance committee.

“He was very neighborhood oriented, a very sharp councilor and great at constituent service,” Hogan said.

McMahon is president of a mortgage bank called The Funding Source.

The Green Party is also talking to potential candidates about running next year. Ursula Rozum, who had a strong showing in her race for Congress this year, said she does not plan to run.